Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin. It is required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of the body. It is essential in forming collagen, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels, and therefore for the healing of wounds, and for the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth.

It is a powerful anti-oxidant, fighting the free radicals, which cause most of the damages in skin aging. It also promotes an increase in collagen production. The benefits include increased skin elasticity, reduced fine lines and wrinkles, improved skin clarity and reduced uneven pigmentation.

In skin care products it is in the form of L-ascobic acid. In order for anti- aging benefits to be realized, it should contain at least a 10% L-ascorbic concentration with a pH level of less than 3. When Vitamin C serums are fresh, they are mostly clear in colour. Exposure to sunlight will cause the product to be oxidized, turn brown, and become ineffective, therefore it is packaged in opaque bottles.

To make it to be more stable, it is varied to present as ascorbyl palmitate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate in some skin care products. They are also less irritating to the skin.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin which consists of eight related molecules known as tocopherols. Alpha-tocopherol is the most biologically active form, which is used in skin care products.

Like Vitamin C, Vitamin E is also an antioxidant that protects body tissue from free radicals, and therefore from aging. It also promotes healthy circulation and is believed to act as a protector against environmental pollutants. It is also useful in improving skin dryness and lots of moisturizers contain Vitamin E.